Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Red Bulls confirmed this morning that they have signed German goalkeeper Frank Rost, formerly of Hamburger SV, as their third designated player. Rost, 38, is a highly experienced veteran with more than 400 Bundesliga appearances under his belt over a senior career that began in 1992. He came up through the Werder Bremen system and was a fixture between the posts there for ten years before spending five years at Schalke and an additional four at HSV, his most recent stop. He is known as a steady, vocal and aggressive keeper - something the Red Bulls have been sorely lacking.

Rost was not offered a new deal with Hamburg at the end of the 2010-11 season, so the Red Bulls did not have to pay a transfer fee to secure his services. That they have offered him a designated player deal shows the depth of concern across the organization with weakness at the goalkeeping position. Bouna Coundoul and Greg Sutton's struggles are well documented, and it was hardly a secret that Erik Solér was out shopping for a solution.

The length of Rost's contract has not yet been disclosed, and it remains to be seen who might be waived or traded to make room for him. Coundoul, whose total compensation dwarfs Sutton's, would seem to be a prime candidate for the chopping block, but there could be other moves afoot as well. Stay tuned.

Pending approval of his visa and international transfer certificate, Rost could suit up as soon as Saturday in Los Angeles, when the Red Bulls take on Chivas USA.

The Red Bulls confirmed this morning that they have signed German goalkeeper Frank Rost, formerly of Hamburger SV, as their third designated player. Rost, 38, is a highly experienced veteran with more than 400 Bundesliga appearances under his belt over a senior career that began in 1992. He came up through the Werder Bremen system and was a fixture between the posts there for ten years before spending five years at Schalke and an additional four at HSV, his most recent stop. He is known as a steady, vocal and aggressive keeper - something the Red Bulls have been sorely lacking.

Rost was not offered a new deal with Hamburg at the end of the 2010-11 season, so the Red Bulls did not have to pay a transfer fee to secure his services. That they have offered him a designated player deal shows the depth of concern across the organization with weakness at the goalkeeping position. Bouna Coundoul and Greg Sutton's struggles are well documented, and it was hardly a secret that Erik Solér was out shopping for a solution.

The length of Rost's contract has not yet been disclosed, and it remains to be seen who might be waived or traded to make room for him. Coundoul, whose total compensation dwarfs Sutton's, would seem to be a prime candidate for the chopping block, but there could be other moves afoot as well. Stay tuned.

Pending approval of his visa and international transfer certificate, Rost could suit up as soon as Saturday in Los Angeles, when the Red Bulls take on Chivas USA.